Engineering Fort Smith, AR Pop. 89,142

Chemical Engineer Salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas

The median chemical engineer salary in Fort Smith, AR is $85,008 per year, which is 20% below the national median and 4.8% below the Arkansas state average.

City Median
$85,008
vs State Avg
$-4,250
vs National
$-21,252
Cost of Living
80%

Chemical Engineer Pay in Fort Smith: What to Expect (2026)

Fort Smith offers a median chemical engineer salary of $85,008, which is $4,250 below the Arkansas state average of $89,258. Compared to the national median of $106,260, Fort Smith pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Fort Smith's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 80% of the national average. This means the $85,008 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $106,260 in an average-cost city. This makes Fort Smith an attractive option for chemical engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for chemical engineers in Fort Smith spans from $54,400 at the 10th percentile to $137,600 at the 90th percentile — a $83,200 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $56,000, while senior chemical engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $129,600. Fort Smith is a smaller market (pop. 89,142), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Chemical Engineer Salary in Fort Smith by Experience

In Fort Smith, an entry-level chemical engineer earns around $56,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $129,600 per year. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$56,000
$-14,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$86,400
$-21,600 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$129,600
$-32,400 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fort Smith, AR

Percentile Fort Smith
10th Percentile $54,400
25th Percentile $67,200
Median (50th) $85,008
75th Percentile $110,400
90th Percentile $137,600

Chemical Engineer Salary in Other Arkansas Cities

Fayetteville, AR
$93,509
Pop. 93,949
Little Rock, AR
$92,446
Pop. 202,591
Springdale, AR
$89,258
Pop. 80,433
Jonesboro, AR
$87,133
Pop. 78,576

How to Become a Chemical Engineer in Fort Smith

Education

Most chemical engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Fort Smith and the surrounding Arkansas area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Process EngineeringChemical ProcessesASPENSafety EngineeringQuality ControlThermodynamics

Job Outlook

Nationally, chemical engineer employment is projected to grow 8% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Fort Smith may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Chemical Engineer Jobs in Fort Smith

Browse open chemical engineer positions in Fort Smith, AR:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Chemical Engineer Salary in Fort Smith

How much does a Chemical Engineer make in Fort Smith, AR? ▼
The median chemical engineer salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas is $85,008 per year, which is 20% below the national median of $106,260. Salaries range from $54,400 (10th percentile) to $137,600 (90th percentile).
How much does a Chemical Engineer make per hour in Fort Smith? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $85,008, a chemical engineer in Fort Smith earns approximately $41 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Fort Smith compare to the Arkansas state average for chemical engineer pay? ▼
Fort Smith's median chemical engineer salary of $85,008 is 4.8% below the Arkansas state average of $89,258. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Fort Smith, AR? ▼
Fort Smith has a cost of living index of 80% compared to the national average. This means a chemical engineer salary of $85,008 in Fort Smith has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a chemical engineer in Fort Smith? ▼
Most chemical engineer positions in Fort Smith require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Process Engineering, Chemical Processes, ASPEN, Safety Engineering. The job market is projected to grow 8% nationally over the next decade.